Why do so many adults love Halloween as much as kids do?
Posted October 30, 2015 11:34 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Countless kids look forward to Halloween for weeks, carefully planning their costumes and carving pumpkins. And so do many adults!
Psychologist Joti Samra says there are a couple of explanations for why we love the ghoulish tradition as much as kids do, explaining fear gives us a burst of adrenaline.
“We get that fear response within the context of a safe environment. So, we know we don’t have to be scared; there aren’t real things to be fearful of. We still get the pleasurable feelings that come along with an adrenaline rush.”
Samra adds another reason is being able to escape life as an adult.
“To put on a costume that’s something fun, interesting or unique…we get this opportunity to just act like someone else for a day and really, act like a child for a day. There’s something that’s very light and enjoyable about that for many people.”
She says even though we’ve long out-grown asking for candy, it’s always nice to imagine life again as a kid.
